The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a single center experience

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background COVID-19 pandemic created big pressure in healthcare systems and had significant impact with longer delays to treatment for patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Purpose To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment delays in STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in a general hospital in Cyprus. Methods Prospective analysis of all consecutive patients that activated the PPCI service from 01.11.2020 to 30.09.2021, during the second wave of the pandemic in Cyprus. Main outcomes are the following quality indicators: the percentage of patients who received treatment within 12 hours (Total Ischaemic Time - TIT), the mean reperfusion time (time from STEMI diagnosis to wire crossing) based to the initial healthcare facility presentation (pPCI centre and non pPCI centre) and 30-days mortality. Results Among the 270 activations of the primary angioplasty service during the above period, 228 were STEMI cases. Of these, 207 patients were treated with pPCI, 4 cases referred for emergency CABG, 10 cases treated conservatively (of them 6 cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 2 SCAD cases and 2 MINOCA cases) and 7 were false positive activations. For the patients treated with pPCI, the mean TIT was 5.8 hours and the overall percentage of patients who received treatment within 12 hours was 90%. The mean reperfusion time (mean time from STEMI diagnosis to wire crossing) was 110 minutes, while the median reperfusion time was 97 minutes. Patients presented directly to our PPCI centre (n = 94, 43%) had a mean reperfusion time of 80 minutes. Those admitted from other peripheral non-PPCI hospitals (n= 130, 57%), had a mean reperfusion time of 134 minutes (80 vs 134 minutes, p-value ≤ 0.001). In particular, patients presented in the reference hospital for COVID-19 in [name of country], showed the longest reperfusion times (DTB = 154 minutes, p-value ≤ 0.001). Cumulative 30-day mortality was 8.8%. The rate of 30-day mortality increased with longer reperfusion time (0.4 vs 1.8 vs 2.7 vs 3.2, p-value= 0.132). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on the treatment of patients with STEMI, with a longer delay to treatment, especially among patients who were transferred from the reference hospital for COVID-19 in Cyprus, which may have contributed to increased mortality during the pandemic. </jats:sec

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and tuberculosis coexistence in the same organs: a report of two cases.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) may be preceded by chronic inflammatory diseases and furthermore has been related to immune deficiency. Tuberculosis (TB), on the other hand, is a chronic infectious disease whose presentation and reactivation is known to be promoted by cell mediated immunodeficiency. The coexistence of NHL and TB in the same organ is rare. We report two cases of NHL and TB coexistence in two different organs: cervical lymph nodes and kidney. The cases illustrate how misleading the concurrence of NHL and TB infection can be, delaying the diagnosis and treatment of either disease.Case ReportsJournal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Innovations in Intracoronary Imaging: Present Clinical Practices and Future Outlooks

Engaging intracoronary imaging (IC) techniques such as intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography enables the precise description of vessel architecture. These imaging modalities have well-established roles in providing guidance and optimizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes. Furthermore, IC is increasingly recognized for its diagnostic capabilities, as it has the unique capacity to reveal vessel wall characteristics that may not be apparent through angiography alone. This manuscript thoroughly reviews the contemporary landscape of IC in clinical practice. Focused on current methodologies, the review explores the utility and advancements in IC techniques. Emphasizing their role in clarifying coronary pathophysiology, guiding PCI, and optimizing patient outcomes, the manuscript critically evaluates the strengths and limitations of each modality. Additionally, the integration of IC into routine clinical workflows and its impact on decision-making processes are discussed. By synthesizing the latest evidence, this review provides valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals involved in the dynamic field of interventional cardiology

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

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